Description
This Air Fryer Greek Lemon Chicken and Rice Bake is a flavorful and healthy one-pan meal featuring tender boneless chicken thighs marinated in lemon and herbs, cooked atop a bed of fluffy long-grain white rice with cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives. Finished with feta cheese and fresh parsley, this Mediterranean-inspired dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika to form the marinade. Add the chicken thighs and toss until evenly coated. Cover and let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for deeper flavor.
- Prepare the Rice Base: In an oven-safe baking dish that fits your air fryer basket, combine the rinsed long-grain white rice and chicken broth. Stir gently to distribute the rice evenly in the dish.
- Assemble the Dish: Place the marinated chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, arranging them so they are evenly spaced. Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and pitted kalamata olives around the chicken, distributing them throughout the dish for flavor and color.
- Cook in the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Carefully place the baking dish into the air fryer basket. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, checking that the chicken is fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice is tender.
- Finishing Touches: Once cooked, remove the dish from the air fryer and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley evenly over the top. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use bone-in chicken thighs for extra flavor, but increase cooking time by 5 to 10 minutes to ensure doneness.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach or artichokes to the rice mixture for a more nutrient-packed meal.
- If your air fryer cannot accommodate a baking dish, divide ingredients into smaller portions or use disposable foil trays designed for air fryer use.
